Don’t judge, I didn’t drag my 6 month old kids across the country so that I could play craps and whoop it up Hangover-style. My mom got married last weekend in Vegas. Wow- that looks pretty wild in print. She did, she got married just outside of Vegas in the Valley of Fire State Park. It. Was. Awesome. One of the best parts about the weekend was bringing the babies to Vegas despite the face that: Las Vegas- not exactly baby friendly. I can’t tell you how many dirty looks I got while wheeling my double stroller through the casino just trying to get from the lobby to the elevators. I was kicked out of the coffee bar in the hotel immediately upon arrival. Overtired and under caffeinated from the cross country flight, the barista took one look at us and said, “Babies- no no no no no no, you gotta get them outta here. No babies allowed here.” It was kind of hilarious. I was totally confused, after all I was ordering a latte not a martini. “I just want a coffee.” To which he replied, “No, you can’t have babies here, this is part of the casino- you gotta go… NOW.”  Coffee-less and a little more weary for the wear, I took my brood on up to our room on the 27th floor where we stayed for the most part, with the exception of the wedding excursion and a few meals-our room service bill was quite impressive.

Turns out, you really can’t do much in Vegas with babies. I wouldn’t have known. I lived there as a 22 year old, performing in a show at the MGM Grand, my 1st real gig. I spent plenty of time playing blackjack downtown at the Binion’s Horseshoe and hanging fireside at the Peppermill, but I wasn’t exactly paying attention to new moms with babies. Oh well, it was quite the adventure and I kind of love that our kids went to Vegas before they were a year old.

Well, it’s not the real one, but it’s a pretty hilarious alternative. Oui, oui Paris.

Aww yeah- limo rides, bubbly and bottles. Keepin’ it real.

Sleep tight my little Vegas baby.

Fedoras- check. Where’s Deano?

The Wedding Party.

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Back in the day, I was a showgirl in Sin City (the top-wearing kind) and I returned there for a couple of days last weekend.  I was both inspired and a little miffed by the changes since the late 90s, but some things never change.
Here are my picks for a razzle dazzle Vegas weekend.

1. The Bellagio- most of the rooms here have been recently renovated and have a great modern feel. Swanky, Classy (dare I use the word- not sure it belongs anywhere, especially Vegas), and centrally located, the Bellagio is always a great place to stay. Dale Chihuly’s 2,000 hand-blown blossoms still shine over the lobby. Other great lodging options are the Cosmopolitan, next door and the Golden Nugget downtown where you get more bang for your buck- although taxis to the central Strip will cost you.

2. A great tip from our blackjack dealer- when ordering your complimentary cocktail while playing at the tables, be sure to specify a top shelf liquor. Hey, it’s the one time the house actually pays and it only costs you a tip to your cocktail waitress. Grey Goose vodka tonic, please.

3. Cirque Schmirque- if you want to catch an old school Vegas review, head over to the Planet Hollywood hotel to see Vegas the Show. My pal, Tiger Martina is the talented choreographer. They’ve got showgirls and Sammy Davis- seriously, what more could you want.

4. Love this cute little cutout sheath from Club Monaco- would look great at the craps table.

5. Loving this glittery number from Club Monaco as well- shines next to the slots.

6. We had a great meal at the Vegas outpost of LA’s Comme Ca at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Great wine list with a bargain basement section where you can find fantastic bottles for a deal. The beet salad with whipped feta, sunflower seeds and arugula is a must. The view  makes you feel like you’re in Tokyo- the Strip’s bright lights sparkle outside its windows.

7. Big fan of all of Kevyn Aucoin’s matte lipsticks- especially the Forever shade. I wear this one for day and night.

8. Scoot down to the Chandelier Bar after dinner at Comme Ca and if you’re lucky, the Jennifer Keith Quintet will be jivin’ up the joint. This is one of the best swing bands I’ve seen and I lived in LA during the overblown Swingers era. Great people watching to boot as Vegas’ Swing-hards hold court in the bar’s booths. Dressed to their hipcat nines with some talented moves to boot, it’s a pretty fun scene.

9. Get outta dodge for a few hours and head up to the Valley of Fire State Park. This Land That Time Forgot-like landscape is album cover worthy. After you soak in its beauty, turn your excursion into a photo shoot. It doesn’t really matter what you look like, with this radical backdrop, you’ll look like a badass in every shot.

10. The Peppermill Fireside Lounge is one of my favorite spots in Sin City. While I’m not a fan of its most recent update with its flat screen tvs, it still maintains its 70s charm. Sit around a fire pit and sip a giant exotic cocktail.

11. Do yourself a favor a B.Y.O.B. when it comes to champagne. Vegas will take you for all you’ve got in more ways than one and to get a decent glass of bubbly will really set you back. Bring a luxe grower’s champagne like this Vilmart Grand Cellier 1er Cru Brut NV and feel like a King even if you do lose your butt at the roulette wheel.

12. Get your Showgirl on with these Gasoline Glitter Flame heels from Topshop.

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My mom and her longtime beau got married last weekend in the Valley of Fire State Park, just outside of Las Vegas. We did it up- took the babies to Vegas and had a swingin’ time.  More posts to come but one of my favorite moments was stopping at the Moapa Truck Stop just outside of the Park, to load up on champagne and other tasty treats. We had heard good things about the place, but were more than pleased and surprised to find that they stocked Veuve in their fridge. Veuve has never been a personal favorite, but it has found a new place in my heart and in the middle of the desert- what an oasis! Beats the Andre that came with our limo.

The photo op was too good to be true. The American desert is one of my favorite landscapes- so much expansion for the eye to see. It conjures images of John Ford heroes galloping through the desert off to save another damsel in distress or burning western town, perfectly worn down 1950s roadside signage and just plain Americana. I did my time in Vegas as well, as a showgirl in my youth (the top-wearing kind), so am very nostalgic about the desert.

Walking into this truck stop was a weekend highlight- a bevy of us donned in our Vegas bests clicking and clacking our way through the truck stop grabbing beef jerky, Ruffles and champagne. The best part- no one batted an eye.

What happens is Vegas (or just outside of)…

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Weekend in Winnetka with the Wilsons

That’s a lot of W’s and there were lots of kiddos.  My mom and I took the bebes up to visit our friends in the northern suburbs of Chicago. We’ve all known each other since the 70s- that always sounds so funny- Carrie and I have been friends since we were 1.

It’s all too easy not to make the effort to visit friends that live a plane ride away- especially with little ones in tow- but time spent with loved ones is kind of what life’s all about. We were treated to a beautiful roasted pork tenderloin dinner prepared to perfection by Carrie and Patty, using one of Ina Garten’s recipes along with Patty’s famous twice baked potatoes (just think boatloads of butter and sour cream with some seriously whipped potatoes in a crispy skin shell-mmmm!), which we paired with an ’07  Casanova di Neri Brunello-awesome.  We also ventured out into town and shared a Dr. Frank Dry Riesling at lunch with a stop at the amazing local accessories and design shop, Maze Home and the beautifully edited neapolitan boutique.  I bought the colorful wool Christmas garland above for my tree this year at Maze and lusted over a vintage 70s necklace from House of Lavande- unsigned but looks like a Courreges to me- on the wish list.

When we returned home to VA., we went to a birthday party for a lovely little 3 year old where Rocknoceros was playing.  Straight from their Austin City Limits gig, we were psyched to hear them jammin’ out live.  I loved the little handwritten signs that the birthday girl’s mom posted all over the walls.  The one above was my favorite- it’s so true isn’t it!

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Neewollah- it’s not just that kooky festival from Picnic where Kim Novak is crowned the Queen of Neewollah. It’s the real live kooky festival in Independence, Kansas where the real live Queen of Neewollah is crowned each year.

I just love this stuff.

The festival was founded just as WWI was coming to an end after a particularly hooligan and shenanigan-filled Halloween where the tricks definitely outweighed the treats. Neewollah (Halloween spelled backwards) was the city’s answer to the vandalism and hoopla that Halloween typically promotes. It’s a good old-fashioned wholesome American festival that has evolved over the years into a weekend filled with a Grand Parade, a concert or two, and the contest for and crowning of its Queen. I would love to go.

In the meantime, here is the kooky trailer for Picnic. I saw this years ago at the revival movie house, The Nuart, in LA. If you like movies from the 50s, this one is definitely worth a watch.  Check out the Moonglow dance sequence below with Kim Novak and William Holden.  It is all at once awkward, hilarious, and fabulous.

Happy Neewollah!

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Lately, I’ve been challenging myself to 20 minute photo shoots.  I pick a spot and spend 20 minutes taking photos with my iPhone and when time’s up, see what I’ve got.  Sometimes they’re kind of cool and sometimes not so much, but nevertheless, it’s an amusing little way of cramming some creativity into my time-challenged day.

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